Stretcher.



J. H. STONE.

STRBTGHER.

A PPLIOATION FILED 0019, 1911,

1,068,016. Patented July 22, 1913.

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COLUMBIA I'LANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. n. c.

J. H. STONE. STRBTGHER. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 9, I911.

1,068,016, v Patented July 22, 1913.-

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CO-,WASNINOTON, D. c.

Jenn n. STONE, or MOBILE, ALABAMA.

STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 22,1913

Application filed October 9, 1911. Serial No. 653,645.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Jenn ll. STONE, of Mobile, in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, gentleman having invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretcher-s, do hereby declare the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to improvements in strotchcrs, and has for its leading object the provision of an improved form of folding stretcher particularly adapted for the use of soldiers when in the field.

The further object of my invention is the provision of a sectional folding stretcher which may be divided and parts carried by different persons to minimize the weight of pack carried by any individual.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved stretcher provided with means whereby one end may be held higher than the other to both facilitate raising of the stretcher from the ground and also render the person resting on the stretcher more comfortable by having the head elevated.

Other objects and advantages of my improved stretcher will be readily apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in the specific structure shown and described within the scope of my claims without departing from or ex ceeding the spirit of my invention.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of my complete stretcher in assembled condition. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of one of the sections in folded condition. Fig. a represents a similar view of the other section, and Fig. 5 represents a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the iron tubes forming one sec tion of my improved stretcher while the numeral 2 designates the tubes forming the other section thereof, each of the tubes 1 and 2 being formed at one end with a handle 3 and at the other end with a depending portion or leg f having a flat end 5 adapted to fit against the end 5 of the other section at that side of the stretcher.

The tubes 1 are connected by the fabric 6 while the tubes 2 are connected by the fabric 7, said fabrics extending from the handles of the tubes almost to the leg portions eland being either of canvas or an as bestos cloth which will be indestructible by fire. When the stretcher is assembled I preferably connect the inner edges of the strips 6 and 7 by the laces 8 passed through the eyelets 9 at the ends or edges of the strips.

To enable the two halves of my stretcher to be instantly and firmly secured together I form in the ends of the portion l of the rods or tubes 2 the sockets l0 tapering downwardly and adapted to receive the lugs or projections 11 carried by the ends of the tubes 1, said lugs wedging downward into the sockets 10 and securely locking the tubes 1 and 2 together.

In the use of my stretcher when the same is resting on the ground the legs lwill together form pivotal supports for the stretcher V and by disposing an excess of weight at either end of the stretcher said end will be caused to rest on the ground and consequently the other end of the stretcher will be raised to cause the device to assume an incline which will render the occupant more comfortable than is the case with the ordinary stretcher which rests flat on the ground This position of the stretcher also renders raising of the same easier, in that the handles at one end are in position where they may be readily grasped when depression of said handles will rock the stretcher on the legs to raise the other handles instead of necessitating working of the fingers under the stretcher as is ordinarily necessary.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the construction and use of my improved stretcher will be readily apparent and it will be seen that I have provided a satisfactory stretcher which is light, durable and easy to carry and while occupying normally but small space when assembled will accommodate any ordinary person and which will commend itself both on account of the ease with which it may be carried and also on account of the position in which the supporting legs holds the same and facilitates lifting thereof.

I claim:

1. A stretcher, comprising a pair of tubes each of which terminates in a downturned socketed end, a second pair of tubes each of which terminates in a downturned end, having a projecting lug for engagement in the socket of the end of one of the first tubes 1 of tubes, the engaged depending members and fabric strips connecting the tubes of i forming feet for elevating the stretcher, a

each pair. short distance to permit the convenient 2. A stretcher comprising pairs of part grasping of the handles.

allel tubes, each pair being connected by a In testimony whereof I afiix my signafabric, one end of each of the tubes having 1 ture in the presence of two Witnesses.

a depending member, the depending mem- JOHN H. STONE.

bers of one pair of tubes being provided Witnesses: With means for detachable engagement with F. E. REITES, 10 the depending members of the other pair L. E. OWEN.

db 'ies at this patent ma be obtained for me cents Each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

